Missouri House creates 3 special committees

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri’s Republican-led House is creating three special committees after a Democratic member was stripped of committee assignments by her party’s leader.

Republican House Speaker Tim Jones’ office said Thursday that Democrat Penny Hubbard will lead the special Urban Issues Committee. She’ll also serve on the special new committees on corrections and small business.

Hubbard, of St. Louis, was removed Wednesday from standing committees with similar duties by House Minority Leader Jake Hummel. Hummel’s complaints included that Hubbard had sided with the Republicans during a vote earlier this week.

House rules allow the chamber’s minority leader to add and remove caucus members on standing committees, but only the speaker can make appointments to special committees.